Warming-up cars stolen and used in armed robberies, West Allis police say

WEST ALLIS - Two cars left to warm up in cold temperatures were stolen in the same early morning hours of Dec. 29 in West Allis and used shortly thereafter to commit armed robberies.

Police are investigating whether the incidents are related.

A 2004 Nissan discovered stolen at 5:35 a.m. in the 7700 block of West Lincoln Avenue was used in an armed robbery of a woman nearby about a half hour later. The 35-year-old woman was getting into her car in the 7900 block of West Becher Street when a man got out of the stolen Nissan, pointed a handgun at her head and took her purse and wallet. The car was found unoccupied at Beloit Road and Greenfield Avenue in West Milwaukee.

The other car, a 2005 Toyota Scion hatchback, was unlocked and stolen in the 5600 block of West Lapham Street. It was discovered gone at about 6:30 a.m. The car was used in an armed robbery in Milwaukee.